1. Cognitive Behavioural Coaching

2. The ABCDE Approach
Described as the centrepiece of CBC

3. The ABCDE Model A B C D E
Activating/
Event or situation
Beliefs
Consequences
Dispute
Exchange
- behaviour
exhibited
internally and
externally
resulting from B
- thoughts and
beliefs your
client holds
about A
- beliefs and
thoughts – are
they rational
or irrational?-
- beliefs and
thoughts into
new balanced
ones
- that your
Client faces
Reference: Dorothy Spry – Cognitive Behavioural Pocketbook 2010

4. Ten Common Thinking Styles or Cognitive Distortions
Over-Generalising
Filtering
Magnifying
All or Nothing Thinking
Disqualifying the Positive
Jumping to Wrong Conclusions
Labelling
Emotional Reasoning
Shoulds and Musts
Personalisation and Blame
Credited to David Burns

5. Using Socratic Questioning
Use Socratic questions to explore the reality. The process involves the coach asking a series of questions in order to explore the reality of the situation, rather than a distorted version of it.

6. Socratic Questioning
What was going through your mind before you started to feel this way?
What images or memories do you have of this situation?
What would you say to someone else in this situation?
Are you using unhelpful thinking styles, e.g. all or nothing thinking or labeling?
What would be a better way of looking at this?
What other thinking can you adopt now you have the evidence that your thinking is unhelpful?

7. EXCHANGE – Beliefs and thoughts into balanced ones
Balanced Thoughts Sheet
Negative thought /belief
Change to
Realistic balancing statement
If my presentation doesn’t go as planned, I am useless and can’t do anything right
I plan to prepare and practice for the presentation. If I fluff a line it is not the end of the world
I’ve got to criticize my employees’ ideas
I will offer supportive ideas
I am a failure if I get it wrong
I have done a lot of good work in the past; if I make a mistake it doesn’t mean I’m a failure

8. Final Thoughts
Very powerful coaching model – Especially for unlocking limiting beliefs and behaviours
Coach needs a high level of unconscious competence
High level of “pure” and “clean” language and reflection required
Caution! – Don’t become the Coachee’s counsellor.